Over five hundred children of Sri Lankan origin in Northern Italy took part in a creative competition on the theme “We are Sri Lanka”, organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan, Italy, in collaboration with the Office for Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs (OOSLA), established under the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka, to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka. Awarding of certificates for winning entries and merit awards for the Arts, Poem and Essays competitions in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages, took place as part of the solemn Ceremony held at the Consulate General premises on 04 February 2024, amidst a large gathering of Overseas Sri Lankans and well-wishers in Northern Italy. Appreciating the enthusiasm shown by the children to connect with their country of origin or heritage, the Consulate also presented each child a certificate of participation.
This competition provided an opportunity for the young participants to express their views and perceptions on Sri Lanka, and to appreciate their socio-cultural inheritance. The Visual Arts Faculty of the University of Visual and Performing Arts of Colombo and Ministry of Education supported the project by assessing the creations of the children studying at the Dhamma Schools conducted by Buddhist temples and Sri Lankan Catholic diocese, Hindu and Muslim community organizations and the two Sri Lankan International schools in Milan as well as the Sri Lankan children studying at Italian schools.
In a video message shared on the occasion to congratulate the participating Overseas children, Director General of OOSLA Vadivel Krishnamoorthy commended the exceptional artistic and literary skills of Sri Lankan children living in Northern Italy, and their strong sense of belonging to Sri Lanka. The Consul General Dilani Weerakoon addressing the gathering appreciated the support received from OOSLA, community members and organisations for the success of the competition held and further said that the Consulate General of Milan envisages to work in tandem with Office for the Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs in order to find ways to forge better relations with the Sri Lankan community in Northern Italy and to resolve their issues and concerns.
The event was followed by a traditional Sri Lankan reception enjoyed and appreciated by the community of overseas Sri Lankans in Northern Italy. The event was commended as a sound initiative to further strengthen the relations between the overseas Sri Lankans in Northern Italy and the Consulate General generating a sense of pride and belongingness to their country of origin-Sri Lanka.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Milan
20 February 2024
